Scars decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, a rating in excess of 30 percent for tinea versicolor on the shoulder, upper back, and chest, a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain with degenerative joint disease, status post ACL reconstruction with hardware, and an initial compensable rating for left knee scar are now pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as of April 26, 2016. The Board granted an effective date of April 26, 2016 for the TDIU.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for scars, post-operative, bilateral gynecomastia and bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's current chest disability is believed to be related to his in-service surgical treatment to correct his bilateral gynecomastia.

The Board has granted service connection for post-surgical scars of the low back, secondary to service-connected spinal stenosis. However, the claim for a bilateral lower extremity disability is remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of one automobile or other conveyance and/or automobile adaptive equipment due to issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including right knee disability, lumbosacral radiculitis, and bilateral high frequency sensorineural hearing loss. The decision is pending further development.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected residual scars of the left foot is remanded due to evidence suggesting worsening symptoms since the last VA examination.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to the veteran's claims for various disabilities and benefits, including a rating for surgical scars of the left knee, service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists, SMC based on aid or attendance or housebound status, and TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for higher initial ratings for right hand and scars disabilities, as well as left foot strain. The Veteran's service-connected conditions have worsened since the last VA examinations, warranting further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus the Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee scar, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury during combat.

An initial 10 percent rating for scars, post-fistula repair, partial colectomy and small bowel resection is granted.,A 30 percent rating for chronic right gluteal fistula is granted from April 18, 2016 to May 16, 2018.,A 60 percent rating for chronic right gluteal fistula is granted as of May 17, 2018.

The Veteran is granted a 10 percent rating for his service-connected left arm burn scar, which measures less than 6 square inches and causes intermittent pain.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, and he is also granted increased ratings for his osteoarthritis of the left hand with post-traumatic changes of the left little finger and scar of the left fifth finger.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure. The issues of secondary service connection for incontinence, impotency, and scars are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding his eyes and a VA examination to assess his gout. The issues of service connection for the eyes and for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for gout are now before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for a residual post-operative scar behind the left ear is remanded.,The Veteran has not been provided with adequate medical examinations to evaluate his claims.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected right little finger strain is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and potential extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service connection claim for scars, residuals of malignant fibrous histiocytoma, secondary to herbicide exposure is granted due to the current evidence being at least in equipoise with the possibility that his condition was caused by or related to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to outstanding treatment records from a United States Army health care center, as well as the need for VA examinations for his right knee disability and skin condition.